Strawberry plant named &#39;DrisStrawFortySix&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ particularly characterized by medium red, sweet fruit, a globose—semi-upright plant habit, and early harvest maturity, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Fragaria×ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DrisStrawFortySix’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety designated ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ and botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered in Kent, United Kingdom in June 2010 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘DrisStrawThirtyTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,333) and the proprietary male parent ‘KGEM 0631-001’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via tissue culture and vegetative cuttings in Kent, United Kingdom in 2010.

‘DrisStrawFortySix’ underwent further testing in Kent, United Kingdom from 2010-2014. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Kent, United Kingdom.

-   -   1. Medium red, sweet fruit;     -   2. Globose—semi-upright plant habit; and     -   3. Early harvest maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new variety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken from ten to twelve-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 2 shows both upper and lower surfaces of the flowers.

FIG. 3 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 4 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawFortySix’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Kent, United Kingdom from 2010 to 2014. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ was taken from ten to twelve-month-old plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria×ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFortySix’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawThirtyTwo’             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,333).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘KGEM 0631-001’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—48.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—42.5 cm.         -   Number of crowns/plant.—6.         -   Habit.—Globose — semi-upright.         -   Density of individual plant.—Medium.         -   Vigor (health and hardiness of plant).—Medium. -   Terminal leaflets:     -   -   Size.—Small Length: 9.1 cm Width: 8.3 cm Length/width ratio:             1.1 (Longer than broad).         -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—19.         -   Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS N137B (Dark green) Lower surface:             RHS 137B (Medium green).         -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave.         -   Blistering.—Weak.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Shape.—Orbicular.         -   Base shape.—Slightly oblique.         -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin profile.—Revolute (margins rolled backwards).         -   Variegation.—Absent. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Long; 36.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—6.2 mm.         -   Pubescence.—Medium.         -   Pose of hairs.—Slightly upwards.         -   Color.—RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green).         -   Bract frequency.—0. -   Petiolule:     -   -   Length.—7.14 mm.         -   Diameter.—2.10 mm.         -   Color.—RHS 144D (Light yellow-green). -   Stipule:     -   -   Length.—3.9 cm.         -   Width.—9.51 mm.         -   Pubescence.—Absent or very sparse.         -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Medium; RHS 63C (Medium             red-purple). -   Stolons:     -   -   Number of stolons.—Medium.         -   Average number of daughter plants (per square meter).—89.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak; RHS 144B             (Medium yellow-green).         -   Diameter at bract.—4.29 mm.         -   Thickness.—Thick.         -   Density of pubescence.—Medium. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Level.         -   Number of flowers per plant.—Many.         -   Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Early.         -   Flower size.—Medium.         -   Flower diameter.—29.00 mm.         -   Petals.—Shape: Orbicular Apex: Rounded Base: Concavo-convex             Margin: Entire Spacing: Overlapping Length: 12.12 mm Width:             12.25 mm Length/width ratio: 1.0 (As long as broad) Petal             number per flower: 6 Color (upper surface): RHS 155C             (White).         -   Calyx.—Diameter: 23.07 mm Diameter relative to corolla:             Smaller Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Same size             Insertion of calyx: In a basin — inserted Pose of calyx             segments: Reflexed — upwards Size of calyx in relation to             fruit: Slightly larger Adherence of calyx: Medium.         -   Sepal.—Shape: Ovate Apex: Truncate Margin: Entire Length:             8.22 mm Width: 4.20 mm Sepal number: 6.         -   Receptacle color.—RHS 12C (Light yellow).         -   Stamen.—Present Anther color: RHS 153B (Medium             yellow-green).         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly upwards. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length.—Medium; 43.4 cm.         -   Diameter at base of truss.—5.80 mm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—8.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.         -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 144C (Medium yellow-green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Relative fruit size.—Medium.         -   Length.—42.98 mm.         -   Width.—38.57 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.1 (Longer than broad).         -   Fruit hollow length.—33.27 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—15.30 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.2 (Longer than broad).         -   Fruit hollow center (cavity).—Medium.         -   Fruit weight.—24.0 g.         -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.         -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary             fruits.—None or very slight.         -   Evenness of fruit surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 44A (Medium red).         -   Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Fruit glossiness.—Medium.         -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Below surface Coloration             (sunward side of berry): RHS 174A Coloration (shaded side of             berry): RHS 174B Number per berry: 192 Weight (weight of             achenes divided by total # seed): 0.006 g Width of band             without achenes: Narrow.         -   Firmness of flesh (when fully ripe).—Firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 40C (Light red).         -   Color of core.—RHS 37A (Light red).         -   Evenness of flesh color.—Even.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Sweetness.—Strong.         -   Acidity.—Medium.         -   Texture when tasted.—Fine.         -   Type of bearing.—Not everbearing — not remontant.         -   Harvest interval.—Late May — mid-July.         -   Harvest maturity.—Early.         -   Production.—1079 grams per plant in Class I & II UK             (2012-2014). -   Disease and pest resistance: Not tested

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ is compared to the female parent ‘DrisStrawThirtyTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,333), ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ is higher yielding and has a lighter red color and better flavor than ‘DrisStrawThirtyTwo’.

When ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ is compared to the male parent ‘KGEM 0631-001’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ is higher yielding and has slightly larger fruit than ‘KGEM 0631-001’.

‘DrisStrawFortySix’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Sonata’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,000), in that ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ has fruit with a medium-sized hollow center and achenes that are inserted below the fruit surface, whereas ‘Sonata’ has an absent or weakly expressed hollow center and achenes that are inserted level with the fruit surface. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ has a globose—semi-upright habit, whereas ‘Sonata’ has an upright and open plant habit.

‘DrisStrawFortySix’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Elsanta’ (unpatented), in that ‘DrisStrawFortySix’ has medium-sized fruit with medium glossiness and a light red colored core, whereas ‘Elsanta’ has large, glossy fruit with a white colored core. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFortySix’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 